Chapter 2: Slamming the Table

Tang Yi couldn't help but laugh, "Do you expect me to be a chef for the rest of my life?"

However, isn't it a bit unreasonable for you to have eaten two kilograms of beef in just half a year?

The old man paused slightly and nodded blankly

Doctor Sun looked around and could not help but ask Ma Laosan, "Why is your son not here?"

Tang Yi put down the task at hand with a mix of laughter and tears, complaining: "You always bring two jin of beef, which is true, but two jin of beef is equivalent to half a year's worth of food expenses, isn't that a bit unreasonable?"

My eldest son said to make more and set aside some for the two of you to taste, but there aren't many options for you to choose from, so please do not take offense

Tang Yi peeked outside the shop and saw that the two pots of pan-fried dumplings made by Ma Boxin had already sold out, and he was in the process of closing up.

Doctor Sun, unperturbed by the oddities, calmly enjoyed his meal while engaging in casual conversation with others

Ma Bo had a simple and honest expression, "Ten good prime ministers are not as good as one good governor. I, an old man, do not care whether one can be a minister or not; I only know that as long as Fan Gong is in Dengzhou, we in Dengzhou will have good days to live!"

The older one, with grayish-white hair and a gaze like a torch, exudes an air of uprightness with every step and posture; the younger one appears to be around eighteen or nineteen years old, dressed in a coarse robe, radiating a strong scholarly aura

The old man furrowed his brow and glanced at the noodle shop next to Tang Ji, seemingly lacking any appetite. He spoke, "Forget it, I am not hungry yet. If you wish to eat, just buy some to take away, and we will head out of the city directly"

In fact, what he meant to say was that Tang Dalang did not change the extravagant ways of a wealthy family, always spending money lavishly. Although the restaurant business was good, it could not withstand such extravagance.

The young man could not help but smile with joy, repeatedly expressing his gratitude to Aunt Ma

In fact, he really wanted the shopkeeper to make an exception and prepare a table of stir-fried dishes for him and his son. However, scholars emphasize moderation; having just troubled the shopkeeper to sell an extra portion of pan-fried dumplings, it would be somewhat excessive to ask for more now.

As for those complaints, they are merely jesting remarks made by two individuals to amuse themselves during their leisure time

The Song people held scholars in high regard; as long as one had studied for a few years, they would be respected wherever they went. Even someone like Doctor Sun, who was usually quite arrogant, spoke respectfully and gently, saying: "Unfortunately, the Tang restaurant stops serving as soon as the hour of the rabbit has passed. If you wish to savor the delicacies of the Tang restaurant, you may come back at noon or in the evening"

A few more pieces of firewood were added to the stove, the dough was kneaded and the filling prepared, and a pot of pan-fried dumplings was set up to be served shortly for a few people to enjoy

Tang Yi turned his head and saw that the old man's chopsticks had fallen. Unaware that he was the cause of the trouble, he casually asked Aunt Ma to bring another pair of chopsticks for the elderly man

I think it is time to take care of my own stomach, Tang Yi said as he walked around the counter to Dr. Sun, "You will surely make me poor with your cooking sooner or later!" With that, he entered the kitchen in the back.

Nonsensical, the situation is unclear, it would be better to conclude it sooner rather than later

After speaking, Aunt Ma whispered a few words in her ear, and Aunt Ma then entered the kitchen. Shortly thereafter, she brought out several plates of food identical to those on Tang Yi's table and served them to the two scholars.

Moreover, this young man, despite being only 14 years old, is articulate and bold in speech, making him quite an "interesting" individual

Tang Yi let out a sneer, "The court has lost a capable minister, yet it has benefited the people of Dengzhou. Does this not count as irony"

They went to the eastern part of the city to shop early in the morning and are expected to return soon

As everyone was busy with their own tasks, Sun Langzhong sat with his legs crossed, waiting for the meal to be served, when two individuals of remarkable demeanor, one old and one young, entered the establishment

The young man Wensheng said to the old man: "I did not expect that this shop also sells stir-fried dishes. Surely, my father must also miss this unique flavor of the capital. Shall we order a few dishes?"

This... Aunt Ma felt quite troubled. To say that Wen Sheng had a heart full of filial piety is not an exaggeration. After all, he traveled a long distance to come here, yet he did not get to eat. Surely, he must feel a sense of disappointment in his heart

Is your son twenty-four now? Business is so good right now, let Tang Dalang hurry up and pay back the wages his father owes, so that we can find a suitable match for Dawei. If we delay any longer, even if we have money, there won't be any good girls willing to marry.

Upon hearing this, the young man could not help but show a look of disappointment. He said to the elder with frustration, "It is all my fault for waking up late. If only I had left home earlier. How about we go to another place to find some food and come back another day?"

... ...

This old man is surnamed Sun and is the resident physician at the clinic next door. Ever since Tang Ji opened its doors to customers in the West Market, the two establishments, separated by a wall, have inevitably had frequent interactions. As time went by, this Dr. Sun became quite familiar with Tang Yi, often coming over to Tang Yi's place for a meal.

... ...

Tang Ji's business is thriving, not only providing breakfast but also selling pan-fried buns for lunch and dinner, and the business is no less busy than in the morning

Everyone was unaware that at another table, a father and son were momentarily taken aback upon hearing this, with the elderly man even pausing a chopstick of small dishes in mid-air.

Time was limited, so Tang Yi only prepared a stir-fried beef dish, a stir-fried vegetable dish, and a bowl of egg drop soup. Since the staple food was pan-fried buns, to avoid greasiness, he also made a cold cucumber salad, along with some ready-made pickled radish.

Tang Yi knew that Doctor Sun had no sons or daughters, and was all alone and helpless, so he was quite pleased to have him come here to join him.

Although the old man’s complexion appeared somewhat pale, he exuded a calm and composed demeanor. His grayish-white hair and beard were meticulously groomed, and his slightly worn Confucian robe was laundered to a pristine and neat finish. A pair of bright, shining eyes radiated a resolute and captivating brilliance

Old Man Sun watched with satisfaction as Tang Yi entered the kitchen. He was not there to beg for food; he had money. As the most renowned doctor in Dengzhou, Old Man Sun's family was quite well-off. The main reason he came was Tang Daliang's exceptional culinary skills, which left one craving for more after just one meal.

Upon hearing this, Doctor Sun hurriedly said: "You two have misunderstood, Tang's establishment only sells pan-fried buns and pickled vegetables; the stir-fried dishes are merely for the family table of the elder brother and are not for sale."

Ma Bo exclaimed anxiously: "Regardless of whether it is new or old, as long as there is this decree, does it not imply that Master Fan has been stuck in our Dengzhou for four years?"

A simple meal of four dishes and one soup, vibrant in color and delicious in flavor, is visually appealing and greatly stimulates one's appetite

Old Man Sun frequently visits without any formality. As soon as Tang Yi placed the dishes on the table, he picked up his chopsticks and began to eat.

After the establishment of the Song Dynasty, Tang Yi mostly interacted with common folk and merchants, and he had only seen scholars on the streets. It was the first time he encountered someone with the demeanor of an elder like this.

Doctor Sun knew that he was about to use that set of fallacies to deceive them, and he mocked, "Stop taking ... ..."

Old Sun was chatting and laughing with Tang Yi and Aunt Ma, unaware that he had already attracted the attention of the two scholars at the adjacent table

Upon seeing them, Aunt Ma hurried forward and, filled with remorse, said: "Please forgive me, the small shop has just closed for the day."

Dr. Sun laughed, "At first glance, both of you are evidently well-informed individuals. This method of stir-frying is not something that ordinary people have encountered."

As everyone chatted while eating, Ma Bo suddenly interjected with a seemingly unrelated remark, "I heard that the court issued a decree; although the officials were not demoted or punished for being impeached, they are to be reassigned to other positions, all subject to a four-year review?"

Ma Bo had almost finished his work outside when he turned around and saw Doctor Sun sitting in the shop, unable to help but shake his head and chuckle. He thought to himself, this old fellow has come at just the right time

Ma Bo continued, "I, an old man, do not care about any new policies. As long as Mr. Fan remains in Dengzhou, that is a blessing for our Dengzhou. Mr. Fan has been in Dengzhou for less than a year, yet he has already brought a new atmosphere to the entire region. Not only has he eliminated cumbersome agricultural taxes, but his governance is also clear and beneficial to the people. I have heard that he is currently renovating the academy and promoting cultural education."

At this time, the pan-fried buns from Ma Bo had also been served, and the two tables were each enjoying their meal

Tang Yi often used some hygiene knowledge from later generations, as well as insights about the Song Dynasty gleaned from forums, to challenge the old man. This frequently left the old man confused, insisting on arguing with Tang Yi until both were red-faced and unwilling to back down.

Tang Yi smiled in agreement and said: "It is nothing more than frying in hot oil on a high flame, there is nothing particularly special about it. It is merely that the large restaurants in the capital are being pretentious, trying to monopolize the business."

Ma Boda stared blankly at Wen Sheng and said, "Young Master, what is going on here?"

Everyone was taken aback, and the originally lively atmosphere came to a standstill

Old Man Ma trembled slightly, hesitating to speak, and stole a glance at Tang Yi.

If he had been born ten years earlier, Tang Yi would definitely have written a letter to this Master Fan, advising him not to meddle with any reforms, as it would ultimately lead to his own downfall

The old man, seeing that the shopkeeper was willing to be flexible, naturally relented. After a brief contemplation, he said: "Thank you for your understanding, I will dine at your esteemed establishment."

Before the words were finished, a sudden sound of a thud was heard. The elderly man at the adjacent table, who had been frozen in place, trembled even more upon hearing Tang Yi's remark. His bamboo chopsticks fell to the table and the books, producing a soft sound.

Yesterday, the two individuals were embroiled in a heated argument regarding the issue of "disease entering through the mouth and personal hygiene"

Seeing that no one responded, Old Man Sun realized it was uninteresting and shifted the topic elsewhere

"That is all old news," said Doctor Sun while eating. "This order has been in place since the beginning of last year. I heard it was specifically aimed at Minister Fan and those few new officials. Some people are afraid that the emperor will transfer Minister Fan out of the capital and then recall him after just a few days, which is why they pressured the emperor to set this four-year term.

Upon hearing this, the two could not help but feel disappointed

Unwillingly, the young man slammed the bamboo stick onto the table with a loud crack, startling everyone present.

The young man could not help but furrow his brows even deeper, hesitating for a moment before bowing to Aunt Ma

However, rules are rules. If everyone comes to "seek convenience," then the Tang Ji would be too busy to welcome guests within the twelve hours of the day

"Enough of the nonsense!" The old man waved his hand. "At worst, I can just bring two more kilograms another day."

Aside from you, it is unlikely that anyone else in Dengzhou would be so brazenly entitled to enjoy free food and drink.

By the end of the day, it is necessary to produce fifty to sixty pans of pan-fried buns, which results in a significant consumption of flour and vegetable-meat filling. Almost every morning, Ma Dawei has to go to the vegetable market in the eastern part of the city to make purchases.

Tang Yi was focused on carving the head of the instrument, unable to suppress a satisfied smile. The head had already been sculpted to a considerable extent; all that was left was to find a blacksmith to inlay the tuning pegs and install a few tuning knobs to complete the work. As for the body of the instrument, Tang Yi felt it would be somewhat challenging for him to make, so he had no choice but to draw up a design and seek a professional carpenter to do it.

"Da Lang, do not neglect your duties. Hurry up and cook, for I am hungry!"

Back then, I had tasted it in the capital, but I never expected to see the stir-fried dishes from the capital in Dengzhou City as well. The young man glanced at the delicious food on Tang Yi's table, hesitating to speak.

Tang Yi set down the dishes and, seeing Aunt Ma guiding the two scholars to take their seats, could not help but glance at the old man a few more times

The streets were bustling with crowds, while Tang Yi was immersed in his own little world, feeling quite pleased with himself, completely unaware that an old man with a goatee and a headscarf had swaggered into the shop. Upon seeing Tang Yi holding a "half a shoulder pole," he exclaimed at once:

Picking up a piece of beef, he contentedly placed it in his mouth, closing his eyes to savor it, while mumbling indistinctly: "I see that Da Lang's skills are wasted on selling only pan-fried buns; if he were to open a proper restaurant, it would surely be the best tavern in Dengzhou."

Just when Aunt Ma was at a loss, Tang Yi came out from the inner room holding several plates of appetizers and said loudly: "Isn't there still a pot sitting on the stove outside? Just pick a few for the two guests."

This young man, is this statement not rather arrogant and outrageous? The tone of the youth was quite unfriendly

Doctor Sun also sighed, saying: "Minister Fan presided over the new policies, and just two years ago, it was flourishing, with a great atmosphere of governance and peace for the people. Who could have imagined that the situation would change so suddenly? In the blink of an eye, Ministers Fan, Fu, and Ouyang have lost their power, and the heated discussions surrounding the new policies have come to nothing."

The two of them were taken aback, "Is the recording finished? So early?"

... ...

Cattle are an extremely important means of production in this era, which is why the Song legal code prohibits the slaughter of cattle. Even in the case of injured or sick cattle, one must report to the authorities before they can be slaughtered and sold. Therefore, beef is the most precious type of meat in the Song Dynasty, even more so than mutton

It is worth noting that bantering with this old man has now become the only pastime that Tang Yi can truly consider a source of entertainment

Tang Yi spoke, and Aunt Ma naturally complied. With a smile, she asked, "Are the two of you taking it away, or enjoying it inside the small shop?"

When the guitar is finished, Tang Yi still won't believe it. That scoundrel Liu Yong can live off writing a few sentimental lines for a lifetime. The melancholic love songs in my heart will surely captivate the beautiful women of the Song Dynasty to the point where they can't be found in the capital.

Do not mind him, let us eat our own, there is some left for him on the stove

... ...

Tang Yi was silently complaining in his heart, but naturally, he did not express it outwardly

As he spoke, he turned to leave

Tang Yi looked up and couldn't help but cast an annoyed glance at the old man

... ...

This aunt, please forgive me! My father has been feeling weak and unwell lately, with a poor appetite, but he has developed an interest in the pan-fried buns from your esteemed establishment. Could you kindly make an exception and prepare a pot just for him?

The old man raised his eyes and said, "Nonsense! How could it be called freeloading? Just a few days ago, I brought you several pounds of beef, considering it as your meal allowance!"

... ...

These two individuals, one old and one young, are both dressed as scholars, clearly indicating that they come from a well-educated and affluent family.